CHAPTERIX。
AfterhavingdefrayedtheexpensesoftravellingformeandmyfriendSchell，forwhoseremarkablehistoryIwillendeavourtofindafewpagesinduecourse，Idividedthethreehundredducatswhichremainedwithhim，and，havingstayedamonthatVienna，hewenttojointheregimentofPallavicini，inwhichhehadobtainedalieutenant—colonel’scommission，andwhichwastheninItaly。
HereIfoundmycousin，BaronFrancisTrenck，thefamouspartisanandcolonelofpandours，imprisonedatthearsenal，andinvolvedinamostperplexingprosecution。
ThisTrenckwasmyfather’sbrother’sson。HisfatherhadbeenacolonelandgovernorofLeitschau，andhadpossessedconsiderablelordshipsinSclavonia，thoseofPleternitz，Prestowacz，andPakratz。AfterthesiegeofVienna，in1683，hehadleftthePrussianserviceforthatofAustria，inwhichheremainedsixtyyears。
ThatImaynothereinterruptmystory，IshallgivesomeaccountofthelifeofmycousinBaronFrancisTrenck，sorenownedinthewarof1741，inanotherpart，andwhofell，atlast，theshamefulsacrificeofenvyandavarice，andreceivedtherewardofallhisgreatandfaithfulservicesintheprisonoftheSpielberg。
ThevindicationofthefamilyoftheTrencksrequiresIshouldspeakofhim；norwillI，inthis，sufferrestraintfromthefearofanyman，howeverpowerful。Thoseindeedwhosacrificedamanmostardentinhiscountry’sservicetotheirownprivateandselfishviews，arenowintheirgraves。
Ishallinsertnomoreofhishistoryherethanwhatisinterwovenwithmyown，andrelatetherestinitsproperplace。
Arevisionofhissuitwasatthistimeinstituted。ScarcelywasI
arrivedinViennabeforehisconfidentialagent，M。Leber，presentedmetoPrinceCharlesandtheEmperor；bothknewtheservicesofTrenck，andthemaliceofhisenemies；therefore，permissionformetovisithiminhisprison，andprocurehimsuchassistanceashemightneed，wasreadilygranted。Onmysecondaudience，theEmperorspokesomuchinmypersecutedcousin’sfavourthatIbecamehighlyinterested；hecommandedmetohaverecoursetohimonalloccasions；and，moreover，ownedthepresidentofthecouncilofwarwasamanofaverywickedcharacter，andadeclaredenemyofTrenck。ThispresidentwastheCountofLowenwalde，who，withhisassociates，hadbeenpurposelyselectedasmenpropertooppressthebestofsubjects。
Thesuitsoontookanotherface；thegoodEmpressQueen，whohadbeendeceived，wassoonbetterinformed，andTrenck’sinnocenceappeared，ontherevisionoftheprocessmostevidently。Thetrial，whichhadcostthemtwenty—seventhousandflorins，andthesentencewhichfollowed，wereprovedtohavebeenpartialandunjust；andthatsixteenofTrenck’sofficers，whomostofthemhadbeenbrokenfordifferentoffences，hadperjuredthemselvestoinsurehisdestruction。
Itisamostremarkablecircumstancethatpublicnoticewasgiven，intheViennaGazette，tothefollowingpurport。
"AllthosewhohaveanycomplaintstomakeagainstTrenck，letthemappear，andtheyshallreceiveaducatperday，solongastheprosecutioncontinues。"
Itwillreadilybeimaginedhowfasthisaccuserswouldincrease，andwhatkindofpeopletheywere。Thepayofthesewitnessesaloneamountedtofifteenthousandflorins。InowbeganthelabourinconcurrencewithDoctorGerhauer，andthecausesoontookanotherturn；butsuchwasthestateofthings，itwouldhavebeennecessarytohavebrokenallthemembersofthecouncilofwar，aswellascounsellorWeber，amanofgreatpower。Thus，unfortunately，politicsbegantointerferewiththecourseofjustice。
TheEmpressQueengaveTrencktounderstandsherequiredheshouldaskherpardon；andonthatconditionallproceedingsshouldbestopped，andheimmediatelysetatliberty。PrinceCharles，whoknewthecourtofVienna，advisedmealsotopersuademycousintocomply；butnothingcouldshakehisresolution。Feelinghisrightandinnocence，hedemandedstrictjustice；andthismaderuinmoreswift。
IsoonlearnedTrenckmustfallasacrifice——hewasrich——hisenemiesalreadyhaddividedamongthemmorethaneightythousandflorinsofhisproperty，whichwasallsequestered，andintheirhands。Theyhadtreatedhimtoocruelly，andknewhimtoowell，nottodreadhisvengeancethemomentheshouldrecoverhisfreedom。
Iwasmovedtothesoulathissufferings，andashehadventedpublicthreats，attheprospectofapproachingvictoryoverhisenemies，theygainedovertheCourtConfessor：and，dreadinghimastheydid，puteverywilyartinpracticetoinsurehisdestruction。
Itherefore，inthefulnessofmyheart，madehimthebrotherlypropositionofescaping，and，havingobtainedhisliberty，toprovehisinnocencetotheEmpressQueen。Itoldhimmyplan，whichmighteasilyhavebeenputinexecution，andwhichheseemedperfectlydecidedtofollow。
Somedaysafter，Iwasorderedtowaitonfield—marshalCountKonigseck，governorofVienna。Thisrespectableoldgentleman，whosememoryIshalleverrevere，behavedtomelikeafatherandthefriendofhumanity，advisedmetoabandonmycousin，whohegavemeclearlytounderstandhadbetrayedmebyhavingrevealedmyproposedplanofescape，willingtosacrificemetohisambitioninordertojustifythepurityofhisintentionstothecourt，andshowthat，insteadofwishingtoescape，heonlydesiredjustice。
ConfoundedatthecowardlyactionofoneforwhomIwouldwillinglyhavesacrificedmylife，andwhomIonlysoughttodeliver，I
resolvedtoleavehimtohisfate，andthoughtmyselfexceedinglyhappythattheworthyfield—marshalwould，afterafatherlyadmonition，smotherallfartherinquiryintothisaffair。
IrelatedthisblacktraitofingratitudetoPrinceCharlesofLorraine，whoprevailedonmetoagainseemycousin，withoutlettinghimknowIknewwhathadpassed，andstilltorenderhimeveryserviceinmypower。
BeforeIproceedIwillheregivethereaderaper—’traitofthisTrenck。
Hewasamanofsuperiortalentsandunboundedambition；devoted，evenfanatically，tohissovereign；hisboldnessapproachedtemerity；hewasartfulofmind，wickedofheart，vindictiveandunfeeling。Hiscupidityequalledtheutmostexcessofavarice，eveninhisthirty—thirdyear，inwhichhedied。Hewastooproudtoreceivefavoursorobligationsfromanyman，andwascapableofriddinghimselfofhisbestfriendifhethoughthehadanyclaimsonhisgratitudeorcouldgetpossessionofhisfortune。
HeknewIhadrenderedhimveryimportantservices，supposedhiscausealreadywon，havingbribedthejudges，whoweretorevisethesentence，withthirtythousandflorins，whichmoneyIreceivedfromhisfriendBaronLopresti，andconveyedtothesehonestcounsellors。
Iknewallhissecrets，andnothingmorewasnecessarytoprompthissuspiciousandbadhearttoseekmydestruction。
Scarcelyhadafortnightelapsed，afterhishavingfirstbetrayedme，beforethefollowingremarkableeventhappened。
Ilefthimoneeveningtoreturnhome，takingundermycoatabagwithpapersanddocumentsrelatingtotheprosecution，whichIhadbeenexaminingforhim，andtranscribing。Therewereatthistimeaboutfive—and—twentyofficersinViennawhohadlaidcomplaintsagainsthim，andwhoconsideredmeastheirgreatestenemybecauseI
hadlabouredearnestlyinhisdefence。Iwasthereforeobliged，onalloccasions，tobeuponmyguard。AreporthadbeenpropagatedthroughViennathatIwassecretlysentbytheKingofPrussiatofreemycousinfromimprisonment；he，however，constantlydenied，tothehourofhisdeath，hiseverhavingwrittentomeatBerlin；
hencealsoitwillfollowtheletterIreceivedhadbeenforgedbyJaschinsky。
LeavingtheArsenal，Icrossedthecourt，andperceivedIwascloselyfollowedbytwomeningreyroquelaures，who，pressinguponmyheels，heldloudandinsolentconversationconcerningtherunawayPrussianTrenck。Ifoundtheysoughtaquarrel，whichwasathingofnogreatdifficultyatthatmoment，foramanisnevermoredisposedtoduellingthanwhenhehasnothingtolose，andisdiscontentedwithhiscondition。IsupposedtheyweretwooftheaccusingofficersbrokenbyTrenck，andendeavouredtoavoidthem，andgaintheJew’splace。
ScarcelyhadIturneddownthestreetthatleadsthitherbeforetheyquickenedtheirpace。Iturnedround，andinamomentreceivedathrustwithaswordintheleftside，whereIhadputmybagofpapers，whichaccidentalonesavedmylife；theswordpiercedthroughthepapersandslightlygrazedtheskin。Iinstantlydrew，andtheheroesran。Ipursued，oneofthemtrippedandfell。I
seizedhim；theguardcameup：hedeclaredhewasanofficeroftheregimentofKollowrat，showedhisuniform，wasreleased，andIwastakentoprison。TheTownMajorcamethenextday，andtoldmeI
hadintentionallysoughtaquarrelwithtwoofficers，LieutenantsF—
gandK—n。Thesekindgentlemendidnotrevealtheirhumaneintentionofsendingmetotheotherworld。
Iwasalone，couldproducenowitness，theyweretwo。Imustnecessarilybeinthewrong，andIremainedsixdaysinprison。NosoonerwasIreleased，thanthesemygoodfriendssenttodemandsatisfactionforthesaidpretendedinsult。Theproposalwasaccepted，andIpromisedtobeattheScotchgate，theplaceappointedbythem，withinanhour。Havingheardtheirnames，I
presentlyknewthemtobetwofamousswaggerers，whoweredailyexercisingthemselvesinfencingattheArsenal，andwheretheyoftenvisitedTrenck。Iwenttomycousintoaskhisassistance，relatedwhathadhappened，and，astheconsequencesofthisduelmightbeveryserious，desiredhimtogivemeahundredducats，thatImightbeabletoflyifeitherofthemshouldfall。
HithertoIhadexpendedmyownmoneyonhisaccount，andhadaskednoreimbursement；butwhatwasmyastonishmentwhenthiswickedmansaidtome，withasneer，"Since，goodcousin，youhavegotintoaquarrelwithoutconsultingme，youwillalsogetoutofitwithoutmyaid！"AsIlefthim，hecalledmebacktotellme，"Iwilltakecareandpayyourundertaker；"forhecertainlybelievedIshouldneverreturnalive。
Irannow，half—despairing，toBaronLopresti，whogavemefiftyducatsandapairofpistols，providedwithwhichIcheerfullyrepairedtothefieldofbattle。
HereIfoundhalfadozenofficersofthegarrison。AsIhadfewacquaintancesinVienna，Ihadnosecond，exceptanoldSpanishinvalidcaptain，namedPereyra，whometmegoinginallhaste，and，havinglearnedwhither，wouldnotleaveme。
LieutenantK—nwasthefirstwithwhomIfought，andwhoreceivedsatisfactionbyadeepwoundintherightarm。HereuponIdesiredthespectatorstopreventfarthermischief；formyownpartIhadnothingmoretodemand。LieutenantF—gnextenteredthelists，withthreats，whichweresoonquietedbyalungeinthebelly。HereuponLieutenantM—f，secondtothefirstwoundedman，toldmeveryangrily——"HadIbeenyourman，youwouldhavefoundaverydifferentreception。"MyoldSpaniardofeightyproudlyandimmediatelyadvanced，withhislongwhiskersandtotteringframe，andcried——
"Hold！Trenckhasprovedhimselfabravefellow，andifanymanthinkspropertoassaulthimfurther，hemustfirsttakeabreathingwithme。"Everybodylaughedatthisbravadofromamanwhoscarcelycouldstandorholdasword。Ireplied——"Friend，Iamsafe，unhurt，andwantnotaid；shouldIbedisabled，youthen，ifyouthinkproper，maytakemyplace；but，aslongasIcanholdasword，I
shalltakepleasureinsatisfyingallthesegentlemenoneafteranother。"Iwouldhaverestedmyselfamoment，butthehaughtyM—f，enragedatthedefeatofhisfriend，wouldnotgivemetime，butfuriouslyattackedme，and，havingbeenwoundedtwice，onceinthehandandagaininthegroin，hewantedtocloseandsinkmetothegravewithhimself，butIdisarmedandthrewhim。
Noneoftheothershadanydesiretorenewthecontest。Mythreeenemiesweresentbleedingtotown；and，asM—fappearedtobemortallywounded，andtheJesuitsandCapuchinsofViennarefusedmeanasylum，IfledtotheconventofKeltenberg。
IwrotefromtheconventtoColonelBaronLopresti，whocametome。
Itoldhimallthathadpassed，andbyhisgoodofficeshadliberty，inaweek，toappearoncemoreatVienna。
ThebloodofLieutenantF—gwasinacorruptstate，andhiswound，thoughnotinitselfdangerous，madehislifedoubtful。HesenttoentreatIwouldvisithim，and，whenIwent，havingfirstrequestedIwouldpardonhim，gavemetounderstandIoughttobewareofmycousin。IafterwardslearnedthetraitorousTrenckhadpromisedLieutenantF—gacompanyandathousandducatsifhewouldfindmeanstoquarrelwithmeandridtheworldofme。Hewasdeeplyindebt，andsoughttheassistanceofLieutenantK—n；andhadnotthepapersluckilypreservedme，Ihadundoubtedlybeendespatchedbyhisfirstlunge。Toclearthemselvesoftheinfamyofsuchanact，thesetwoworthygentlemenhadpretendedIhadassaultedtheminthestreets。
Icouldnomoreresolvetoseemyungratefulanddangerouskinsman，whowishedtohavememurderedbecauseIknewallhissecrets，andthoughtheshouldbeabletogainhiscausewithoutobligationtomeormyassistance。Notwithstandingallhisgreatqualities，hismarkedcharacteristiccertainlywasthatofsacrificingeverythingtohisprivateviews，andespeciallytohiscovetousness，whichwassogreatthat，evenathistimeoflife，thoughhisfortuneamountedtoamillionandahalf，hedidnotspendperdaymorethanthirtykreutzers。
NosoonerwasitknownthatIhadforsakenTrenckthanGeneralCountLowenwalde，hismostardentenemy，andpresidentofthefirstcouncilofwar，bywhichhehadbeencondemned，desiredtospeaktome，promisedeverysortofgoodfortuneandprotection，ifIwoulddiscoverwhatmeanshadsecretlybeenemployedintherevisionoftheprocess；andwentsofarastooffermefourthousandflorinsifIwouldaidtheprosecutionagainstmycousin。HereIlearnedtheinfluenceofvillainsinpower，andtheinjusticeofjudgesatVienna。TheproposalIrejectedwithdisdain，andratherdeterminedtoseekmyfortuneintheEastIndiesthancontinueinacountrywhere，underthebestofQueens，themostloyalofsubjects，andfirstofsoldiers，mightberenderedmiserablebyinterested，angry，andcorruptcourtiers。Certainitis，asInowcanprove，thoughthebitterestofmyenemies，andwhoseconducttowardsmemeritedmywholeresentment，hewasthebestsoldierintheAustrianarmy，hadbeenliberalofhisbloodandfortuneintheImperialservice，andwouldstillsohavecontinuedhadnothiswealth，andhiscontemptforWeberandLowenwaldeputhiminthepowerofthosewretcheswhoweretheavowedenemiesofcourageandpatriotism，andwhoonlycouldmaintaintheirauthority，andsatetheirthirstofgain，bythebaseandwickedartsofcourts。Hadmycousinsharedtheplunderofthewaramongthesemen，hehadnotfallenthemartyroftheirintrigues，anddiedintheSpielberg。Hisaccuserswere，generally，unprincipledmenofruinedfortunes，andsoinsufficientweretheiraccusationsthatausefulmemberofsocietyoughtnot，foranyorallofthem，tohavesufferedanhour’simprisonment。
Beingfullyinformed，bothofallthecircumstancesoftheprosecutionandtheinmostsecretsofhisheart，justicerequiresI
shouldthuspubliclydeclarethistruthandvindicatehismemory。
Whilelivinghewasmybitterestenemy，andeventhoughdead，wasthecauseofallmyfuturesufferings；thereforetheaccountIshallgiveofhimwillcertainlybethelessliabletosuspicion，whereI
shallshowthathe，aswellasmyself，deservedbetterofAustria。
IwasresolvedforevertoforsakeVienna。ThefriendsofTrenckallbecamedistrustfulofhimbecauseofhisingratitudetome。PrinceCharlesstillendeavouredtopersuademetoareconciliation，andgavemealetterofrecommendationtoGeneralBrown，whothencommandedtheImperialarmyinItaly。ButmoreanxiousofgoingtoIndia，IleftViennainAugust，1748，desirousofowingnoobligationtothatcityoritsinhabitants，andwentforHolland。
Meantime，theenemiesofTrenckfoundnoonetoopposetheiriniquitousproceedings，andobtainedasentenceofimprisonment，intheSpielberg，wherehetoolaterepentedhavingbetrayedhisfaithfuladviser，andprudentfriend。Ipitiedhim，andhisjudgescertainlydeservedthepunishmenttheyinflicted：yettohislastmomentsheshowedhishatredtowardsmewasrooted，and，eveninthegrave，strovebyhiswilltoinvolvemeinmisfortune，aswillhereafterbeseen。
IfledfromVienna，wouldtoGodithadbeenforever；butfatebystrangeways，andunknownmeans，broughtmebackwhereProvidencethoughtproperIshouldbecomeavesselofwrathandpersecution：I
wastoenactmypartinEurope，andnotinAsia。AtNurembergImetwithabodyofRussians，commandedbyGeneralLieuwen，mymother’srelation，whoweremarchingtotheNetherlands，andwerethepeace—
makersofEurope。MajorBuschkow，whomIhadknownwhenRussianresidentatVienna，prevailedonmetovisithim，andpresentedmetotheGeneral。Ipleasedhim，andmaysay，withtruth，hebehavedtomelikeafriendandafather。HeadvisedmetoenterintotheRussianservice，andgavemeacompanyofdragoons，intheregimentofTobolski，onconditionIshouldnotleavehim，butemploymyselfinhiscabinet：andhisconfidenceandesteemformewereunbounded。
Peacefollowed；thearmyreturnedtoMoravia，withoutfiringamusket，andthehead—quarterswerefixedatProsnitz。
Inthistownapublicentertainmentwasgiven，byGeneralLieuwen，onthecoronationdayoftheEmpressElizabeth；andhereanadventurehappenedtome，whichIshalleverremember，asawarningtomyself，andinsertasamementotoothers。
Thearmyphysician，onthisday，keptaFarobankfortheentertainmentoftheguests。Mystockofmoneyconsistedoftwoandtwentyducats。Thirstofgain，orperhapsexample，inducedmetoventuretwoofthese，whichIimmediatelylost，andverysoon，byventuringagaintoregainthem，thewholetwoandtwenty。Chagrinedatmyfolly，Ireturnedhome：Ihadnothingbutapairofpistolsleft，forwhich，becauseoftheirworkmanship，GeneralWoyekowhadofferedmetwentyducats。TheseItook，intendingbytheiraidtoattempttoretrievemyloss。Firingofgunsandpistolswasheardthroughoutthetown，becauseofthefestival，andI，inimitationoftherest，wenttothewindowandfiredmine。Afterafewdischarges，oneofmypistolsburst，andendangeredmyownhand，andwoundedmyservant。Ifeltamomentarydespondency，strongerthanI
everremembertohaveexperiencedbefore；insomuchthatIwashalfinduced，withtheremainingpistol，toshootmyselfthroughthehead。Ihowever，recoveredmyspirits，askedmyservantwhatmoneyhehad，andreceivedfromhimthreeducats。WiththeseIrepaired，likeadesperategamester，oncemoretotheFarotable，attheGeneral’s，againbegantoplay，andsoextraordinarywasmyrunofluck，Iwonateveryventure。Havingrecoveredmyprincipal，I
playedonuponmywinnings，tillatlastIhadabsolutelybroketheDoctor’sbank：anewbankwassetup，andIwonthegreatestpartofthislikewise，sothatIbroughthomeaboutsixhundredducats。
Rejoicedatmygoodfortune，butrecollectingmydanger，Ihadtheprudencetomakeasolemnresolutionnevermoretoplayatanygameofchance，towhichIhaveeverstrictlyadhered。
Itweretobewishedyoungmenwouldreflectupontheeffectsofgaming，rememberingthattheloveofplayhasmadethemostpromisingandvirtuous，miserable；thehonest，knaves；andthesincere，deceiversandliars。Officers，havingfirstlostalltheirownmoney，beingentrustedwiththesoldiers’pay，havenextlostthatalso；andthusbeencashiered，andeternallydisgraced。I
might，atProsnitz，havebeenequallyrashandculpable。Thefirstventure，whetherthegamesterwinsorloses，ensuresasecond；and，withthat，toooftendestruction。Mygoodfortunewasalmostmiraculous，andmysubsequentresolutionveryuncommon；andI
entreatandconjuremychildren，whenIshallnolongerbelivingtoadviseandwatchfortheirwelfare，mostdeterminedlytoavoidplay。
IseemedpreservedbyProvidencefromthisevilbuttoenduremuchgreater。
GeneralLieuwen，mykindpatron，sentme，fromCrakow，toconductahundredandfortysickmendowntheVistulatoDantzic，wheretherewereRussianvesselstoreceiveandtransportthemtoRiga。
IrequestedpermissionoftheGeneraltoproceedforwardandvisitmymotherandsister，whomIwasverydesiroustosee：atElbing，therefore，IresignedthecommandtoLieutenantPlaten，and，attendedbyaservant，rodetothebishopricofErmeland，whereI
appointedaninterviewwiththeminafrontiervillage。
Hereanincidenthappenedthathadnearlycostmemylife。ThePrussians，somedaysbefore，hadcarriedoffapeasant’ssonfromthisvillage，asarecruit。Thepeoplewereallincommotion。I
woreleathernbreeches，andtheblueuniformoftheRussiancavalry。
TheytookmeforaPrussian，atthedoor，andfelluponmewitheverykindofweapon。Achasseur，whohappenedtobethere，andthelandlord，cametomyassistance，whileI，battlingwiththepeasants，hadthrowntwoofthemdown。Iwasdelivered，butnottillIhadreceivedtwoviolentbruises，oneontheleftarm，andanotherwhichbrokethebridgeofmynose。Thelandlordadvisedmetoescapeasfastaspossible，orthatthevillagewouldriseandcertainlymurderme；myservant，therefore，whohadretiredfordefence，withapairofpistols，intotheoven，gotreadythehorsesandwerodeoff。
Ihadmybruisesdressedatthenextvillage；myhandandeyeswereexceedinglyswelled，butIwasobligedtoridetwomilesfarther，tothetownofRessel，beforeIcouldfindanablesurgeon，andhereI
sofarrecoveredinaweek，thatIwasabletoreturntoDantzic。
MybrothervisitedmewhileatRessel，butmygoodmotherhadthemisfortune，asshewascomingtome，tobethrownoutofhercarriage，bywhichherarmwasbroken，sothatsheandmysisterwereobligedtoreturn，andIneversawhermore。
IwasnowatDantzic，withmysickconvoy，whereanothermostremarkableeventhappened，whichI，withgoodreason，shalleverremember。
IbecameacquaintedwithaPrussianofficer，whosenameIshallconcealoutofrespecttohisveryworthyfamily；hevisitedmedaily，andweoftenrodeouttogetherintheneighbourhoodofDantzic。
Myfaithfulservantbecameacquaintedwithhis，andmyastonishmentwasindeedgreatwhenheonedaysaidtome，withanxiety，"Beware，sir，ofasnarelaidforyoubyLieutenantN—；hemeanstoenticeyououtoftownanddeliveryouuptothePrussians。"Iaskedhimwherehelearnedthis。"Fromthelieutenant’sservant，"answeredhe，"whoismyfriend，andwishestosavemefrommisfortune。"